Proposed U.S. budget cuts for science and technology funding spark comment

Federal funding for basic and applied scientific research - a powerful driver of the economy as well as an enabler of life-saving medical and other vital technologies - deserves continued support, say leaders of SPIE. They joined others in the scientific community today in responding to the President's budget request for Fiscal Year 2018.

Among positives in the recommendations, SPIE leaders noted continued support for the National Institutes of Health Cancer Moonshot project, as well as for applied research and advanced technology development in the Department of Defense budget.

Budget cuts in other areas raised concerns.

"At first glance this is a very troubling proposal, which calls for historic cuts to U.S. research and development funding," said SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs. "For science and technology, it seems a turning away from investing in the future, from what has brought prosperity and health to our nation and to the world. The final say is with Congress, which we hope will have a different view of the path to a better future."